Zoo workers are preparing to transport a baby gorilla hundreds of miles to a specialist primate centre.

Staff at Twycross Zoo will wave goodbye to eight-month-old Okanda today, when he leaves his mother to begin the move to an ape nursery, in Germany.

The young primate has recently overcome a serious illness and vets at Twycross are hoping that relocating him to the ape nursery will give him the best chance of a full recovery.

The move means Okanda will be able to mix with other gorillas.

If he was kept at Twycross he would have to live in isolation because he could not be reintroduced to his parents as they had rejected him.

In October last year, Twycross vet Sarah Chapman provided round-the-clock care for Okanda when he was taken ill.

He had to be separated from his mother, Ozala, when it emerged her milk was not producing enough nutrients and he became dangerously malnourished.

Sarah said: "We noticed that his health had deteriorated and at this point we knew we only had small window of time to save his life.

"All the test results showed that he is now in excellent health. His body has responded incredibly well to the treatment and care he has received over the past few months.

"He has gained more than two kilos in weight, his hair has grown back, his eyes are much brighter, he giggles to himself and enjoys swinging upside down by one leg."

Okanda should arrive at the German zoo within the next few days.